Homebuilding is essential to meet growing housing demand and stabilize prices. In Sumter, SC, building permits ranged from 29 to 49 monthly in 2025, with 34 permits issued in January 2026, equating to about 2.5 permits per 10,000 population. Nationwide, permits fluctuated around 1.3 to 1.4 million monthly in 2025, with 1.39 million permits issued in January 2026, about 44 permits per 10,000 population.